A NIGHT IN THE POOL
Last night was awesome. Awesome for Ryan Lochte, Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen, anyway. Not for Michael Phelps. We go again tonight, and this is our schedule for the evening - all times London Time, don't forget:
1930: Women's 100m Butterfly Final
1937: Men's 200m Freestyle Semifinals
1948: Women's 100m Breaststroke Semifinals
2008: Men's 100m Breaststroke Final
2015: Women's 400m Freestyle Final
2025: Men's 100m Backstroke Semifinals
2044: Women's 100m Backstroke Semifinals
2054: Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final
1917: Good work. Does he know, yet? Ryan Lochte is in action tonight in the Men's 200m Freestyle Semis (along with China's Sun Yang), and he could yet team up with big rival (and mate) Michael Phelps in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final, our last race of the night.
1926: Tonight's swimming is about to get under way at the majestic Aquatic Center at the Olympic Park in London. Good to see Dana Vollmer is in such optimistic mood ahead of her 100m Butterfly Final. Great Britain's hopes, meanwhile, rest on Ellen Gandy.
USA's gold medallist and world record breaker Dana Vollmer:
"I put that time in my mind and I kept being so close. Even in the race I felt so good and knew it'd be close and I got it. I'm healthier than I've ever been and it feels great to be in this position. I'm definitely going to be around for a while."
2000: We've just had the Semifinals of the Women's 100m Breaststroke, and quite a story too. The Lithuanian 15-year-old Ruta Meilutyte has just blown away Australia's three-time Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones with a staggering time of 1:05:21, which is a new European record. "Hard work and I really want it," says Meilutyte.
2006: Indeed we do, Markai - and it's good news for the host nation as Team GB go 1-0 up against UAE at Wembley, Ryan Giggs heading in a Craig Bellamy cross. Less good news for all-conquering Spain, who trail 1-0 to unfancied Honduras.
2023: After 200 meters, France's Camille Muffat leads and she is just about on course for a world record at the halfway stage. USA's Allison Schmitt is second and Federica Pellegrini third. There's a few in the mix here, mind...
2025: Only 100m to go and it's Camiile Muffat from Allison Schmitt from Rebecca Adlington...
2027: Brilliant race, what a performance from France's Camille Muffat, who led them out and stayed ahead throughout, a superbly classy display and an Olympic Record to boot. USA's Allison Schmitt pushed her all the way to take silver and Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington wins bronze after her gold four years ago.
2106: Michael Phelps extends USA's lead with a stunning swim, France are half a second behind and Australia are third...
2106: USA are miles ahead. France are still second, Australia third. Now it's Ryan Lochte to bring it home...
2109: What a finish that was - remember Ryan Lochte is not a 100 meter specialist, but still he got caught cold by France's Yannick Agnel who overhauled him with a wonderful last leg. Did not expect that to happen.
2115: No doubt about it - that is one of the moment of London 2012 so far. Whether Ryan Lochte is any good at 100 meters or not isn't the point - the point is that a very strong USA team had a decent lead going into the final leg and France's Yannick Agnel produced a swim of devastating quality to win it. What a night in the pool for the French. Sacre bleu...
2143: That's very true, Marcin - the Spanish Under-23 team have failed where the seniors have consistently succeeded, losing their first two matches at the Olympics. Spain have not even scored a goal and are out. Meanwhile, hosts Great Britain have beaten UAE 3-1.
2207 Quick round up of some stuff, then: Team GB Women beat Japan 4-0 in the Hockey on a day when Argentina thrashed South Africa 7-1. Germany are currently beating USA 2-0.
Qualifying for the Women's Gymnastics Team Event has finished too, and these are the eight countries into Tuesday's Final:
USA
Russia
China
Romania
Great Britain
Japan
Italy
Canada
2213: Good question, Juanita. Team GB's first gold was supposed to be Mark Cavendish, then maybe Lizzie Armitstead, then maybe Beccy Adlington... But there's definitely no need for the hosts to panic. They might have to wait another day or two, though, because Monday doesn't look like a particularly strong one, unless Gemma Spofforth can spring a surprise in the Women's 100m Backstroke Final.
I'm going to plump for the three-day Eventing Team on Tuesday - I reckon they'll get GB on the gold board. If not then, then definitely Wednesday when the Rowing Finals start. That's when GB will move up the medals table.
2219: Not me. No sir. Tuesday night is all set up to be Michael Phelps' night in the pool, with the 200m Butterfly Final and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay final 58 minutes later. Only a fool would bet against two more Phelps golds...
Let's take a look now at some of the best images from Day Two at the 2012 Olympic Games in London...
